led reluctantly, driven along before 5th, headed soon after 3 out, soon beaten
prominent, chased leader from 3rd, led soon after 3 out, driven along after 2 out, narrow lead last and mistake headed and outpaced by winner flat
chased leader until driven along and not keen from 3rd, struggling from 5th, tailed off
held up behind leaders, closed 5th, chased leader after 3 out, shaken up and no extra just before last
chased leaders, outpaced after 5th, soon struggling in rear, tailed off
confidently ridden, held up, smooth headway after 2 out, quickened to challenge on outside last, pushed along to lead flat, cleverly
in touch, headway to 3rd after 3 out, shaken up approaching last, kept on same pace flat
With Punjabi likely to improve plenty for the run, according the trainer Nicky Henderson, today looks the day to be with CELESTIAL HALO, who chased him home on the Old Course in this year's Champion Hurdle. The pair of them are undoubtedly the class acts in this field, and while they should endure stiffer opposition as the season unfolds, they really ought to have this race between them. The Paul Nicholls-trained selection finished just a quarter-of-a-length adrift of Punjabi in the championship contest and is still officially rated higher than his conqueror. Both runners act with cut, but Celestial Halo has the benefit of a winning pipe-opener before today, and that can prove decisive. There should be a separate race for the minor money, and Medermit looks capable of winning that, in doing so reversing form with Khyber Kim, who is now 3lbs worse off for three lengths when they met here last month. Ashkazar should love the cut, and reverts to hurdling after defeat here over fences by Weird Al last time. That runner came out and won again here yesterday, and so David Pipe's inmate may still be capable of picking up some prize money, but the win kitty can go to Celestial Halo.
Ashkazar (FR) 5-2fav (11-7) Held up, closed 7th, challenged from 4 out, went left and blundered 2 out, still every chance when went left and awkward last, weakened flat, 4th of 6, 8l behind Weird Al (11-2) at Cheltenham 2m 4f nov chs (2) gs in Nov.
Celestial Halo (IRE) 11-4fav (11-10) Always prominent, led 3 out, clear after next, ran on well, won at Wincanton 2m Ltd hcp hdl (1) gs in Nov beating Mamlook (10-4) by 10l, 7 ran.
Ebadiyan (IRE) Evensfav (11-7) Led, bad mistake 2nd, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, no extra in 4th before last, kept on same pace to 3rd close home, 3rd of 7, 8l behind Torphichen (11-7) at Naas 2m 4yo lst hdl hvy.
Punjabi 7-2 (11-12) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, headway to challenge early straight, ridden to lead before last where slight mistake, strongly pressed and joined run-in, headed close home, 2nd of 9, shd behind Solwhit (11-12) at Punchestown 2m hdl G1 hvy in May.
Songe (FR) 9-4 (11-0) Jumped right, took keen hold, led approaching 2nd, mistake next, headed 3 out, soon beaten, 2nd of 7, 13l behind Recif De Thaix (10-8) at Hereford 2m beg chs (3) sft.
Khyber Kim 9-1 (11-9) Held up in rear, good headway approaching 2 out, led and quickened flat, ran on well, won at Cheltenham 2m Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3) (4yo+) (1) sft in Nov beating Harry Tricker (10-3) by 2l, 15 ran.
Medermit (FR) 8-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, not fluent 5th, headway 3 out, not fluent 2 out, close 3rd last, stayed on flat, 3rd of 15, 3l behind Khyber Kim (11-9) at Cheltenham 2m Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3) (4yo+) (1) sft in Nov.
